Explore the turbulent and transformative first five centuries of the Church as it wrestled with defining truth. This introductory course traces the development of orthodox Christian doctrine—particularly on the Trinity and the nature of Christ—through the lens of major theological disputes. Students will engage with the writings and debates of the early Church Fathers as they defended the faith against heresy from both inside and outside the Church, shaping the foundations of Christian belief that endure to this day.

GOALS OF THE COURSE
-Identify key theological terms and figures from the first 500 years of church history.
-Understand the core issues behind early doctrinal disputes.
-Recognize and evaluate modern teachings that deviate from apostolic doctrine.
-Discern the flaws in common analogies used to explain the Trinity and the dual nature of Christ.
-Strengthen your belief system by identifying and correcting any inherited theological errors.
-Apply early church doctrine to assess future teachings with clarity and confidence.

MEET THE FACULTY MEMBER
Dr. Stephen Crosby brings over four decades of diverse ministry and life experience—from pastoring across continents to engineering and small business ownership. A seasoned Bible teacher with a D.Min. from Christian International, he equips believers with deep insight into grace, the person of Christ, and the New Covenant, rooted in Eastern Church theology, Semitic context, and relational, Spirit-led discipleship. His courses are rich in both scholarship and practical application.

Textbook:
Title - Heresies: Heresy And Orthodoxy In The History Of The Church
Author - Harold O. J. Brown
ISBN - 9781565633650